A Kingsnorth man who suffers from the same heart condition as former Premiership footballer Fabrice Muamba met the retired midfielder when he came to town.

Dario DaSilva, pictured with Fabrice, has LQT2 syndrome, one of a range of conditions that can lead to sudden death in otherwise healthy individuals.

Dario, 24, was fitted with an electronic device, known as an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), in 2007.

The ICD helps to regulate his heartbeat, shocking the organ into the correct rhythm if it ever becomes erratic.

The device Dario relies on is similar to the one fitted to Fabrice after his heart attack

Fabrice was struck down during a live televised FA Cup match between his Bolton Wanderers team and Tottenham Hotspur.

Fabrice recovered from the attack, despite his heart having stopped for more than one hour.

The pair compared their experiences living with LQT2 when Fabrice, also 24, visited the Pitchside sports facility in Stanhope on Sunday (September 30).

Dario, of Park Farm, said: “Fabrice told me he had a shock a couple of months ago [since having the device fitted] and was conscious while it happened.

“He said it was the most pain he has ever gone through in his life and from my own experience I can definitely agree.

“But Fabrice is really upbeat, you can tell he’s just grateful to be alive, and he has not let it affect him.

“Although his football career might not be what it once was, he’s making the most of the situation, getting out there to raise awareness of his condition.

“I know when I have tried to explain my condition to people, no-one really knows what it is, but if you say Fabrice Muamba, the footballer who ‘died’ on the pitch for an hour, they immediately understand.

“I think people are slowly beginning to understand this rare condition, which is really important.

“If we can raise awareness with people so that they can recognise the symptoms, maybe we can stop another death that doesn’t need to happen.”

Dario is calling for answers from the firm who manufactured his ICD as it is now malfunctioning. For the full report, see next week’s Kentish Express.